It's been a while since our last posting and much has happened in our lives. Hence the rather tardy blogging of late.
We closed on the 22nd December to prepare for the arrival of the family from Wimbledon for what was to be their last Christmas in the UK. We all had a great time especially our little granddaughter Emma. She is now nearly two and a half and "this present thing" seemed to now make sense.
Whilst with us we went to a Nativity Play put on by the Churches of Haxby and Wigginton. This was entitled "Dibley comes to Haxby" and involved walking around Haxby to various locations. Thus "the Inn with no room for Mary and Joseph" was the Tiger Inn pub.
The organizers had even arranged for a "real donkey" to walk with us and with some 700 we dutifully walked around the village.
Emma kept asking when would we see; not Baby Jesus but "Baby Geezer". You can imagine her excitement when "Baby Geezer" turned out to be a real little boy.
The celebrations were regrettably tinged with sadness as after 8 years of living in the UK they had decided to return to South Africa.
January saw us scooting down to London to say our farewells and they left at the beginning of February. We have spoken to Sarah our daughter since her return and can you believe it - they are complaining about the heat; current temperatures plus 36 degrees.
After all the snow of the last few weeks balmy weather has returned to York. Last week end it particularly played ball for Valentines Day. Coinciding with the better weather we are noticing renewed activity from our feathered friends and our resident Blackbird has been particularly vocal. It seems that humans are not the only ones whose thoughts turn to love on the 14th February.
Should you be planning a York visit in the next month remember that we are as usual running our Winter Special of 3 nights for the price of 2 from Sunday to Thursday until the clocks change in March. Also visit the Rooms section of our website to see the redecorated Bethel and Mpumalanga Rooms.
Finally a taster of whats on in York in March.
1st - 15th - York Literature Festival - Citywide, Tel: 01904 554316 - www.readwriteyork.co.uk
16th - 25th - York Festival of Science and Technology - Citywide, Tel: 01904 554493 - www.sciencecityyork.org.uk/community
27th - 29th - York Open Studios - local artists in an informal setting - www.yorkopenstudios.co.uk